Students look up to their teachers for guidance and can be the most influential person in some student’s life. But when does it become too far when the teacher starts preaching their own beliefs on a touchy subject to the whole class? In a college classroom both teachers and students have more room to express themselves and their opinions. But there comes a point in some college classrooms where the teacher loses focus on the task hand. To teach their students the subject they were designated to teach, especially when it comes to a subject like religion or a political campaign. Students can be afraid to argue with a teacher because they know the teacher holds all the power, so the teacher can dictate and lead the debate into a direction that they best see fit.
This has recently occurred in one of my college classes. I am all for learning about the presidential candidates and expanding my knowledge on events that are happening in our society, but I have learned nothing pertaining to the class I signed up for. There have been countless articles sent to my email from my teacher about the current election, they have only been about one presidential candidate and why we should vote for him. One of the articles was titled why we MUST vote for that candidate, and ways we can campaign for him, like going out to an out of state convention for extra credit. A teacher should not hold this much power over their students.
Having a healthy discussion periodically throughout the semester is alright. But not having one every day in the same class, for 15 to 20 minutes of a 50 minute class, and the ONLY thing being discussed is the current political campaign, and only about one specific candidate should not be allowed. An average classroom is roughly twenty people, which is twenty completely different views and opinions on the campaign. That topic can get sensitive very quickly, especially when the teacher announces which presidential candidate they are rooting for and talks negatively about the others. If a class is going to have a discussion on this topic the teacher should remain completely neutral, and some students, along with myself could be too afraid to express their positive opinions towards a different candidate. Even if a student does try to take a completely different view point, my teacher’s response would often be, “no, you are wrong,” how is that teaching her students anything? Being quickly shot down by your teacher is not teaching you anything. Pretty soon the only discussion would be a few individuals and the teacher talking positively about only one presidential candidate. They could be pressuring other students to change their vote. This should not be a goal a teacher should have.
If a student wants to be involved in their society, which they should, then the students along with the teachers should do it on their own time. The students and teachers will be able to freely look up multiple candidates and be able to make their decisions on who they are rooting for based on their own opinion. They won’t be pressured by other people’s viewpoints. College students are paying thousands of dollars for classes pertaining to their major. Having a teacher throwing the main focus of the class out the window is a waste of not only the student’s money but also time.
